Well known for her female oriented literature, American author Jennifer Chiaverini has been writing her unique brand of historical fiction for some time now to much commercial and critical acclaim, gaining a worldwide audience through her many translations in the process. Employing a keen eye for historical accuracy, she has managed to create a style that’s idiosyncratic to her, something which her many growing legions of readers have become accustomed to over the years. Her series ‘Elm Creek Quilts’ is no exception to this rule and has become highly regarded in its own right over the duration of its long and highly successful run.

The series itself focuses on the central motif of quilts and quilting, as it keeps itself running throughout the novels as the key thematic arc to the narrative, around which everything else revolves. With recurring characters continually cropping up, the location of the quilters is set within the area of Elms Creek and it features the many stories throughout history that involve them. Keeping a keen eye trained on accuracy in regards to the historical details given throughout, this series has grown from strength-to-strength during its run and will continue to receive acclaim in the many years to come.

The Quilter’s Apprentice

Originally published on the 6th of April, 1999, this was to be the first book the series setting it up as a whole and establishing the initial premise overall for the many readers to come. Creating the general style and tone of the novels, it manages to build upon the ambiance of the atmosphere, giving it its many quirks that made it so idiosyncratic to read. Bringing in and introducing the characters as well, it manages to establish the manner and the tone of the books too allowing the readers to gain an idea of what to expect in the future.

Leading the main narrative thrust is central protagonist Sarah McClure, a married woman who has just moved to the area with her husband. Active and resourceful, she wants to make the most of everything around her with her focused personality and always keen nature. Eager to learn and understand, she quickly adapts to her new surroundings as she takes control of her environment and her situation. With a colorful cast of characters surrounding her as well, the narrative works as more of an ensemble piece, as each member of the group has their own story to tell. As a whole, though, they all work together to construct the central story and revolve around the central premise despite their differences. This works for later novels in that they operate as the central cast of contemporary characters, as the various others come and go. Set in Waterford, Pennsylvania, the college town which they all inhabit also takes a role of its own as the surrounding environment comes to life.

Having only just moved to the area with her husband Matt, Sarah McClure is hoping to find a fulfilling job that will satisfy her. In the meantime she is organizing the preparation for the selling of a family estate, it being one Elm Creek Manor. Working for Sylvia Compson she is taught lessons on the legacy of this family throughout the generation, along with how to better quilt. Will Sarah be able to adjust to her new surroundings? Can she complete the sale effectively? What will become of them all as she becomes the quilters apprentice?

Round Robin

First published on the 4th of April, 2000, this was to follow on directly from the last continuing the ongoing narrative arc and maintaining the success that the first had achieved. With a new quilt and a new story it keeps its focus set-upon the individuals and characters featured within the first, as it continues telling the story of their exploits and activities. Keeping the style and tone of the first book as well, it manages to take it in a somewhat different direction whilst not forgetting what made the original novel so appealing to readers in the first place.

With Sarah McClure as the central key protagonist once again this novel picks up from where the last left off following on in a similar vein as before. Keeping the ambiance, McClure is still her same old self dealing with the aftermath of the previous novel and what happened afterwards. Leading the group of quilters, she has managed to create a name and some sense of status for herself within her local town. With the central cast themselves dealing once more with their own set of personal crisis’s it deals with each of them on an individual basis. Brought together through their collective love of quilting it weaves their lives together, both figuratively as well as literally. The key theme of quilts runs throughout and is something which the many characters themselves revolve around over the course of the books. Taking place in the college town of Waterford, Pennsylvania, once more it manages to build upon the environment again as well.

Faced with a new quilt, the Elms Creek Quilters are to create a project for fellow quilter Sylvia Compson. As they begin to stitch though they find that their lives become entangled as they each have their own stories to tell. With the bonds of their friendships strengthening though, they soon find that they’re building more than a quilt, but something deeper and more meaningful than they could ever have hoped for. Will they be able to finish the quilt? Can they come together as a group stronger than ever? What will become of the round robin?

The Elm Creek Quilts Series

Running for over a decade between the years of 1999 to 2012, this has been a strong series of novels lasting for well over twenty entries, including various spin-off books as well. The spin-off novels have helped expand upon the overall franchise, building the narratives between books and growing the narrative as a whole, there being around four of these books, including omnibus editions. As an author Jennifer Chiaverini has managed to create a strong brand that will be enjoyed for many years to come. Leaving a legacy, this series will continue to attract readers as its many readers grow both nationally and internationally with it growing from strength-to-strength.

Rather than announce an upcoming book, we're paying tribute to our most popular author of the year from a survey we did. That author is Louise Penny, who writes the Inspector Gamache books. Trust me when I say this - this is a tremendous serious about a Chief Inspector in Quebec. Buy it for yourself, buy it as a gift - but get the first book in the series, Still Life and see why it's our most popular book series. Read more about it.

Recommendations

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MISSING A BOOK?

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Featured Series

Our character of the month is Inspector Armand Gamache. We know people are looking for gifts for others this time of year - so make it easy. Get someone hooked on our most popular series! Seriously I don't mean to beat a dead horse but try this series out!

Featured Author

Our author of the month is the Canadian author Louise Penny We’re paying tribute to Louise this month. Her Gamache series is simply incredible and each book just gets better. If you haven’t read it yet – start now!

Did You Know…

Although Anne Rice's birth name was Howard Allen O’Brien, she chose the name “Anne” when she entered the first grade at St. Alphonsus Grammar School